Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of life in a sample of breast cancer patients during treatment.
To that end, one hundred and seventy seven consecutive patients at different stages of the disease and who had previously undergone surgery were recruited. Patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 2.0) and the breast cancer module (QLQ-BR23) at three different points of time during treatment and follow-up. Demographic and clinical variables were also recorded. We have compared groups according to stage and surgery. We have studied the changes in their quality of life over time.
The quality of life scores reflect moderate limitations in some dimensions at the three assessments. At the second and third assessment, there were also limitations related to treatment side effects. There were differences on most of the quality of life dimensions between patients at different stages of the disease. The differences between surgery modalities were limited to body image. Quality of life seems relatively stable across the first and second assessments and has improved in some areas at the third in the patients who have filled in the three assessments (n=141). Therapies thus cause some deterioration in quality of life at the second assessment, which has improved by time of the third assessment.
The quality of life scores and the clinical variables indicate that the situation of these patients is generally satisfactory. A comparison of scores over time of the patients who have filled in the three questionnaires indicates that these women receive treatment that, in general, they can tolerate adequately.
Resumen
El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la calidad de vida de una muestra de pacientes con cáncer de mama durante el tratamiento.
Ciento setenta y siete pacientes con cáncer de mama en diferentes estadios de la enfermedad y que habían recibido cirugía previamente han contestado el cuestionario EORTC QLQ-C30 (versión 2.0) y el módulo de mama QLQ-BR23 en 3 puntos a lo largo del tratamiento y seguimiento. Se han recogido además datos demográficos y clínicos. Se han comparado grupos formados en función del estadio y la cirugía, y se han estudiado los cambios en la calidad de vida a lo largo del tiempo.
Las puntuaciones de calidad de vida muestran limitaciones moderadas en algunas dimensiones en las 3 evaluaciones. En la segunda y tercera medición había también limitaciones relacionadas con los efectos secundarios de los tratamientos. Se daban diferencias en la mayoría de las dimensiones de calidad de vida entre los pacientes agrupados según los estadios de la enfermedad. Las diferencias entre las modalidades de cirugía se limitaban a la imagen corporal. La calidad de vida se ha mantenido relativamente estable entre la primera y segunda medición, y ha mejorado en algunas áreas en la tercera en las pacientes que han completado las 3 mediciones (n=141). Los tratamientos, por tanto, causan algún deterioro en la calidad de vida de estos pacientes en la segunda medición que mejora en el momento de la tercera.
Las puntuaciones de calidad de vida y las variables clínicas indican que la situación de estos pacientes es generalmente satisfactoria. Una comparación de las puntuaciones a lo largo del tiempo de las pacientes que han completado las 3 mediciones indica que reciben un tratamiento que en general pueden tolerar adecuadamente.
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Arraras Urdaniz, J.I., Illarramendi Mañas, J.J., Gutiérrez, M.T. et al. Quality of life in breast cancer patients assessed using the EORTC questionnaires. Rev Oncol 3, 100–106 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02711461
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02711461